Mannel Comes Up Clutch to Top Edgewood

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Men's Basketball team defeated Edgewood College (Wis.) in a thrilling 67-64 victory on Wednesday night. The V-Hawks continue their strong start to the season and it at 3-0, while the Eagles drop to 0-1.

The V-Hawks started out strong, getting up 6-0 in under two minutes, four of those points coming from Ben Olson. Jake Schroeckenthaler helped to pace the Eagles early, and George Muench game the Eagles the lead 8-9 at 13:57 with an and-one layup. After Schroeckenthaler tied the game at 11 with 8:57 left, Edgewood would by as much as four, before Keegan Severn's and one layup closed the score to 18-19 with 4:05 in the first half. Dakota Mannel's layup from Olson tied the game at 24, but Edgewood would lead the remaining two minutes of the first half, despite six late free throw from Mannel. The Eagles took a 33-30 lead into the break.

Schroeckenthaler led all players with 13 first half points, and Drew Houtakker was just behind him with 12, including 2-2 from three.

Mannel led the V-Hawks in the first with eight, while Jack Monis contributed four points, five boards, and two steals.

Alex King and Robert Cunitz each hit jumpers to help fuel Viterbo's 7-0 run to kick off the second half. Mannel's layup brought the score to 41-38 at 14:45, then both teams would go scoreless for more than two minutes until Cunitz hit his first triple of the game at 12:21. Jake Dimovski responded with a three of his own, followed by one from Adam Baierl at 9:36, as well as a pull-up jumper from Baierl gave Edgewood a 46-47 lead at 8:36. Monis and Cunitz kept the V-Hawks in the lead until Houtakker hit a three to go up with 58-59 with just over three minutes left. Mannel and Schroeckenthaler traded baskets to leave the game tied at the 2 minute mark. Neither team scored for over a minute, unbtil Schroeckenthaler sank two free throws with :55 left. Monis found Mannel for a huge three to put the V-Hawks back on top by one, and after a few free throws both ways, Viterbo led by three with seven seconds left. The Eagles were able to set up a play, but lock down defense from the V-Hawks prevented a game-tying shot from even going up.

Viterbo outshot Edgewood 49%-37%, including 40%-24% from three, while Edgewood won the rebounding battle 40-33. Each team recorded eight rebounds.

Mannel led Viterbo with 21 points, while dishing out four assists. Monis added 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Severn had six points, six rebounds, and a block.

Schroeckenthaler led all players with 22 points and 13 rebounds, Houtakker had 15 points, five rebounds, and two steals, and Nelson added six points, five assists and a steal.

Viterbo returns to action this weekend at the Northwestern College Classic in Orange City Iowa, with games against Dordt (Iowa) and Northwestern (Iowa).